Photo/Illutration Lawyers Hiroshi Kawahito, left, and Koji Inoue speak at a Nov. 14 news conference after Takarazuka Revue Co. released its report about the death of a 25-year-old performer. (Takaya Katada)

Shamed by an initial report into the suspected suicide of a rising star of the Takarazuka Revue, top-level entities of the all-female troupe will take over the task and set up another panel to investigate the young woman’s death.

The panel will be established by either railway operator Hankyu Corp., which owns Takarazuka Revue, the parent company Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., or Takarazuka Revue Co. itself, according to several sources at Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. 

The panel to be set up before year-end is expected to include outside individuals.

Takarazuka Revue quickly established its own panel to investigate the case of the 25-year-old member of the Cosmos Troupe found dead in the grounds of her apartment complex in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, on Sept. 30. Police suspect she jumped from the building.

That panel released a report Nov. 14 that the bereaved family members and their lawyers said was inappropriate. The distraught family sought an apology from both Takarazuka Revue and Hankyu as well as compensation.

Earlier, lawyers for the bereaved family detailed the grueling working conditions endured by the young Takarazuka member, which they said was compounded by power harassment on the part of senior members.

But Kenshi Koba, chairman of Takarazuka Revue, denied that any bullying or power harassment had occurred and attributed the death to tremendous psychological stress brought on by the long hours the woman worked.

Koba has since said he would resign his post.

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